The most memorable incident is that of Elizabeth Eckford, one of the nine students who mistakenly went to school alone on the morning of September 22, 1957. Her grace under pressure while she was jeered at and taunted by white mobs came to symbolize the strength and determination of an entire generation of Black American students.

On the morning of September 4, 1957, fifteen-year-old Dorothy Counts set out on a harrowing path toward Harding High, where-as the first African American to attend the all-white school – she was greeted by a jeering swarm of boys who spat, threw trash, and yelled epithets at her as she entered the building.

Her name is Frances Wilson and she was a Freedom Rider. Frances, a 23 year old student at Tennessee State University, was expelled for her participation in the Freedom Rides along with 14 other students. In 2008, the expelled students all received honorary doctorates from Tennessee State University. Frances received her honorary degree in 2011.

45 years ago this month, Richard and Mildred Loving were banned from the state of Virginia, and took their case all the way up to the supreme court and won. Opening the way for interracial couples in the US to love and marry legally. Bless them.